Hungarian Public Administration Research Articles

The Development Path of the Hungarian Public Administration from the Regime Change to the New Era of Crises

The Hungarian public administration development path can be displayed in four stages: “democratisation” from 1990 until 1998, the beginning year of the EU accession negotiations; “Europeanisation” as preparing for EU accession until 2004, when Hungary became full member of the EU together with 9 other countries. The next phase is the unsuccessful “quest for efficiency” until 2010, including 2008, when the Hungarian state budget faced insolvency and turned to the IMF for a standby loan. Finally, in 2010 the era of continual crisis management started with the financial and economic crisis, the migrant crisis, the Covid–19, and the war in Ukraine.

Önkormányzatból hivatal?

The study examines the chief steps of Hungarian public administration’s modernisation during the period of dualism, and the role of Gyula Szapáry as a government official, Minister of the Interior and later Prime Minister in the aforementioned process. He had to regulate a disobedient county, as the county under his authority managed to make a stance against the dualist compromise. In consequence of this former experience and his personal views, Szapáry supported and represented the government’s efforts to modernise the counties on conservative social foundations and with a step towards centralisation. As Minister of the Interior he initiated the redefinition of county boundaries, with a crude enforcement of bureaucratic rationalization and without the respect for traditions. As Prime Minster, he attempted to nationalise the municipal-system by transforming the elected county deputy officers into an appointed bureaucracy. His efforts were so much opposed by public opinion, that he could not push his government bills through.

Prevalencia de juezas en los tribunales de Hungría. Un camino diferente para el desarollo de la igualdad de las mujeres

The starting point of the study is the experience that female judges are in the majority compared to men in Hungarian courts. In the essay, the authors will examine the reasons of this fact which is a different situation from most parts of the world. First the study will approach the question from a historical point of view i.e. whether the forty years of communism has something to do with the fact that there are a lot more women than men in Hungarian public administration and in the courts. In the following we will examine the ways and possibilities the current legal and social situation has to offer for a woman who wants to become a judge. The proportion of women in the leadership of the courts compared to the one in the courts in total is a subject to a separate examination. To a certain extent of a comparative approach the study will also refer to the differences in the gender composition of judges in other European countries. The challenges a working woman has to face i.e. financial and family-related issues obviously have their effects on the career choice. Therefore, although none of the authors have a degree in sociology, one also cannot avoid the interpretation of some social phenomenon regarding this subject. The methods of the study include both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the processing of the literature available regarding the subject, interviews with judges and analysis of statistics.

Goose-stepping? The concept of the Hungarian public administration contract from a private law point of view

The author addresses questions raised in the professional literature of public law (e.g.: the applicability of the Hungarian Civil Code to public law contracts), alongside the contradictions (e.g.: there isn’t a unified set of denotations and categories) and problems included therein, and the one-sidedness thereof (the disregarding of the respective works of private law). We analyze the selected material by concisely explaining the relation between public law and private law in Hungary. The author pays special attention to the Hungarian public law definitions as well as the contract-types with their characteristics, and finally, conclusions are drawn, and compatible perspectives are proposed.

A haderő részvétele a Magyar Királyság belső rendjének fenntartásában 1867-1918

Aim: As forces originally designed to protect the country against attacks from the outside are required in maintaining the public order amidst extraordinary circumstances today, it was no different in the civic Hungarian state born with the Compromise. The aim of this study is to present a specific segment of the internal policing structure before 1918, the tasks of the armed forces.Methodology: document and content analysis.Findings: The dualist setup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the relationship within the Hungarian Kingdom’s public order defense organisations and to the civil administration created a unique environment which military units ordered to support police organs of insufficient staffing or capacity had to comply with. In the examined time period, the army’s participation in the joint fighting service of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s and the Royal Hungarian Army’s engagement in maintaining the public order was common practice, since until the 1885 establishment of the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie, there was no military organised armed guard force bearing sufficient staffing, equipment and authorization, except in certain towns. As per its military organisational structure, the gendarmerie worked together with the defense forces in an effective way, and has practically taken over the majority of tasks from the armed forces. The current study examines how the armed forces’ activities by the military fit into the Hungarian public administration and what was the relationship like between the administrative authority ordering and the tactical combat force being ordered. Examining the armed forces’ tasks in the era is therefore necessary, both in its narrow and wider context, and paying special attention to the unique position of the Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie is also important, which could both be in the position to order the force of arms unites and be ordered.Value: Due to space constraints, the present study does not allow for detailed presentation of the wider range of armed force tasks and their background laid down in the law and various rules, it rather focuses on systematically reviewing the topic and painting a general picture. The topic is still relevant today in the context of the contribution of the armed forces to law enforcement. The historical context explored in this study may also help to inform the development of regulation in the present.

Zaufanie, odporność (skuteczność). Regulacje prawne i rzeczywistość ustawodawstwa epidemiologicznego oraz podejmowanie decyzji przez gminy na Węgrzech w czasach koronawirusa

The Hungarian administrative law has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several rules – which were introduced during the state of danger based on the epidemic situation – have been incorporated into the Hungarian legal system. The administrative procedural law has been influenced by the epidemic transformation. Although these changes have been related to the current epidemiological situation, it seems that the “legislative background” of the pandemic offered an opportunity to the central government to pass significant reforms, and therefore these reforms significantly impacted trust in the Hungarian public administration.

Prawo administracyjne w czasach stale zmieniającego się środowiska regulacyjnego

The Hungarian administrative law has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several rules – which were introduced during the state of danger based on the epidemic situation – have been incorporated into the Hungarian legal system. The administrative procedural law has been influenced by the epidemic transformation. However, the rules on e-administration have not been reformed significantly (due to the digitalisation reforms of the last years), but the rules on administrative licenses and permissions have been amended. The priority of the general Code on Administrative Procedure has been weakened: a new, simplified procedure and regime have been introduced. The results of these reforms became obvious in 2021: the number of administrative cases has been decreased. Even the decision-making of the central government bodies has been transformed partially, a trend of “militarisation” can be observed, as well. The local self-governance has been impacted by the reforms. The transformation has had two opposite trends. On the one hand, the Hungarian administrative system became more centralised during the last year: municipal revenues and task performance have been partly centralised. The Hungarian municipal system has been concentrated, as well. On the other hand, the municipalities could be interpreted as a “trash can” of the Hungarian public administration: they received new, mainly unpopular competences on the restrictions related to the pandemic. This approach transformed in the last months, and even several unpopular decisions were recentralised. Although, these changes have been related to the current epidemic situation, but it seems, that the “legislative background” of the pandemic offered an opportunity to the central government to pass significant and reforms.

In the Wake of Algorithmic Decision Making: Mapping AI-related Advancements in the Hungarian Public Sector

Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) is among the most substantial challenges of our time, raising numerous issues concerning work organization, technology implementation, legal and ethical issues. This is especially true in public administration when it comes to the systems that support the operation of public services. The paper begins with a review of the various uses of artificial intelligence in public administration (starting from the observation that in many cases the different issues of process automation and predictive algorithms-backed decision support systems are not clearly separated), followed by a discussion of the dilemmas and problems which must be dealt with. After drawing a theoretical framework, the research reviews the systems currently employed by the Hungarian public administration and those planned to be introduced in the near future. Finally, the authors evaluate different aspects of the widespread use of algorithmic decision making in the Hungarian public administration in the future, with special emphasis on the integration of AI-developments in public administration development policy documents, the organizational and legal components, and the potential general acceptance of such AI-based public services.

Challenges in the comparative analysis of developments of the public administrations – The case of Hungary

Several reforms were introduced in the Hungarian public administration in the last decade that reshaped both the local and central governance levels. A well-functioning administration with embedded institutions enables the formulation of a competitive environment that favorably effects the country’s economic growth. The projects of the reform program are partly financed by the European Union’s Cohesion Funds through the Hungarian Public Administration and Civil Service Development Operation Programme. Hungary is committed to attain a good state through good governance and devoted to implement a results-oriented approach in its policy cycles. The international indexes providing comparisons among public administrations of different countries cannot fully and in detail reflect the results and impact of executed projects. As a response to the need for continuous monitoring based on data, the Hungarian Government introduced a unique pilot evidence-based assessment framework connected to the selected projects of the Hungarian Public Administration and Civil Service Development Operation Programme. The institutional framework is provided by the National University of Public Service, utilizing the advantage of its research and professional expertise. The results and impacts are measured and continuously monitored both at project and national levels. The steady monitoring and data gathering provides a good basis for a comprehensive evaluation and further policy-making.

Introduction of integrity in Hungarian public administration

The requirement of integrity is a new area of Hungarian public administration. Better to say, the preludes and principles could be found in administration before its actual legal institution by law.
 In this paper I am going to analyse the antecedents of integrity in Hungary, then the areas of evolving of integrity will be shown step by step (e.g. acts, education, and preparation). Later, I will write about the actualities of integrity in Hungary.
 At the end of my paper you can read about the results and possibilities of the introduction of integrity in the administration of Hungary.

Az előmeneteli és illetményrendszerek szabályozása a magyar közigazgatásban

In this study, I examine the advancement and salary systems within the content of the legal relationship. Civil service acts are based on a wide range of personnel policy solutions in the Hungarian public administration. While one act prefers public law and centralized regulatory methods, another tends to focus on labour law and decentralized solutions, while the third seeks to mix them. Thus, in all cases, a similar legislative intention can be identified, yet a completely different approach is reflected behind the regulation of one or another legal relationship. Based on all this, a number of issues can be identified. Which personnel policy system solution is better in line with international trends in civil service legislation? What legal and personnel policy solutions characterize the advancement and remuneration of one or another civil service status? Can differentiation or fragmentation contribute to the modernization of civil service careers? At all, can we talk about solutions in this case or are we currently witnessing some ‘post-bureaucratic’ search for a way?

“The Gypsy issue” in Hungary during the interwar years (II)

During the interwar years in Hungary, the authorities approached the issue of Gypsy settlements mainly through regulations concerning public health. Measures to try to settle the so-called “wandering Gypsies” resulted indirectly in the creation of new Gypsy settlements. The conflicting interests of government ministries and the local authorities became all the more apparent, as they both expected the provision of the accompanying necessary funds to resolve the “Gypsy issue” from the other party. The implementation of the decrees issued by the central authorities was often obstructed and faced criticism from officials, doctors, and gendarmerie responsible for their implementation at local level. During the period in question, the content of the “Gypsy issue” gradually changed: during the 1920s it mostly meant the settlement of “wandering Gypsies”; while later, in the 1930s, along with the old ones new challenges arose related to the Gypsy settlements, which increased both in size and number. The author uses little-researched primary sources: resolutions approved by the Hungarian authorities and Hungarian interwar periodicals such as: the Csendőrségi Lapok (Gendarmerie Journals), Magyar Közigazgatás (Hungarian Public Administration) and Népegészségügy (Public Health).

"The Gypsy issue” in Hungary during the interwar years (I)

During the interwar years in Hungary, the authorities approached the issue of Gypsy settlements mainly through regulations concerning public health. Measures to try to settle the so-called “wandering Gypsies” resulted indirectly in the creation of new Gypsy settlements. The conflicting interests of government ministries and the local authorities became all the more apparent, as they both expected the provision of the accompanying necessary funds to resolve the “Gypsy issue” from the other party. The implementation of the decrees issued by the central authorities were often obstructed and faced criticism from officials, doctors, and gendarmerie responsible for their implementation at the local level. During the period in question, the content of the “Gypsy issue” gradually changed: during the 1920s it mostly meant the setllement of “wandering Gypsies”; while later, in the 1930s, along with the old ones new challenges arose related to the Gypsy settlements, which increased both in size and number. The author uses little-researched primary sources: resolutions approved by the Hungarian authorities and Hungarian interwar periodicals such as: the Csendőrségi Lapok (Gendarmerie Journals), Magyar Közigazgatás (Hungarian Public Administration) and Népegészségügy (Public Health).

The Logic of Simplifying Public Administration in Hungary, 1900–1910

Abstract The present paper analyzes the implementation of the simplification law in Hungarian public administration between 1900 and 1910. The law was enacted in 1901 in a bid to »simplify, facilitate, and speed up« administrative processes and mitigate encounters between different administrative units. The law created an extended debate on the possible directions of simplification and resulted in a mixed reception, including an oftentimes contested implementation. The paper investigates the logic behind the reform both in terms of the legal and practical formulation of revised regulations and in terms of the actual implementation of the directives on the local level. I argue that “simplification” was a buzzword for the homogenization and rationalization of public administration that was considered inept to accommodate the new and expanding tasks of the state by the turn of the century. ›Simplification,‹ hence, resulted in a more complicated system, an oxymoron quickly flagged by contemporaries. The simplification law is understood in the present paper as a case of innovation, and the paper thus contributes to our understanding of innovation processes in public administration. The paper asks how the simplification law was implemented based on the micropractices of administrators, what were the practical consequences of the law in relation to the purposes of lawmakers, who were the main agents that influenced the process, and how they could press their own agendas in the process. These questions are approached through the lens of the materiality of public administration, in which people, objects, and material processes can explain the outcome of innovation initiatives, as in the case of the implementation of the simplification law.

Administrative Law in the Time of Corona(virus)

The Hungarian administrative law has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Several rules – which were introduced during the state of danger based on the epidemic situation – have been incorporated into the Hungarian legal system. The administrative procedural law has been influenced by the epidemic transformation. However, the rules on e-administration have not been reformed significantly (due to the digitalisation reforms of the last years), but the rules on administrative licenses and permissions have been amended. The priority of the general code on administrative procedure has been weakened: new, simplified procedure and regime have been introduced. The local self-governance has been impacted by the reforms. The transformation has had two, opposite trends. On the one hand, the Hungarian administrative system became more centralised during the last year: municipal revenues and task performance have been partly centralised. The Hungarian municipal system has been concentrated, as well. The role of the second-tier government, the counties (megye), has been strengthened by the establishment of the special economic (investment) zones. On the other hand, the municipalities could be interpreted as a ‘trash can’ of the Hungarian public administration: they received new, mainly unpopular competences on the restrictions related to the pandemic. Although these changes have been related to the current epidemic situation, it seems, that the ‘legislative background’ of the pandemic offered an opportunity to the central government to pass significant reforms. From 2021 a new phenomenon can be observed: the state of danger has remained, but the majority of the restrictions have been terminated by the Government of Hungary. Therefore, the justification of the state of danger during the summer of 2021 became controversial in Hungarian public discourse.

Administrative Law in the Time of Corona(virus): Resiliency of the Hungarian Administrative Law?

<p class="Default">The Hungarian administrative law has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several rules – which were introduced during the state of danger based on the epidemic situation – have been incorporated into the Hungarian legal system. The administrative procedural law has been influenced by the epidemic transformation. However, the rules on e-administration have not been reformed significantly (due to the digitalisation reforms of the last years), but the rules on administrative licenses and permissions have been amended. The priority of the general code on administrative procedure has been weakened: new, simplified procedure and regime have been introduced. The local self-governance has been impacted by the reforms. The transformation has had two opposite trends. On the one hand, the Hungarian administrative system became more centralised during the last year: municipal revenues and task performance has been partly centralised. The Hungarian municipal system has been concentrated, as well. The role of the second-tier government, the counties (<em>megye</em>), has been strengthened by the establishment of the special economic (investment) zones. On the other hand, the municipalities could be interpreted as a “trash can” of the Hungarian public administration: they received new, mainly unpopular competences on the restrictions related to the pandemic. Although these changes have been related to the current epidemic situation, it seems, that the “legislative background” of the pandemic offered an opportunity to the central government to pass significant reforms.</p>

РАЗВИТИЕ ПОСРЕДСТВОМ ВМЕШАТЕЛЬСТВА? ПЕРЕСМОТР КРИТИКИ ВЕНГЕРСКОЙ ДЕМОКРАТИИ

Hungarian public administration culture has traditionally been considered as overtly legalistic and proceduralist, which appears to be in contrast with claims of weakening the rule of law or facing sanctions under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union. This article offers an overview on the criticisms put forth by academic writers and EU institutions regarding the Hungarian development path and puts them into the wider context of democratization through transaction (transitology, democracy export) theory. The article compares findings of contemporary interventionist authors with the propositions of such iconic writers as Dankwart Rustow (1970) and Samuel P. Huntington (1984) and attempts to connect the dots between these realms of thought. These authors all share the view that democracy shall be exported the more and quicker the better. Transitology, though, has had its critics, while contemporary interventionist theory appears to be rather monolithic without considerable criticism. The article uses the approach of Payne (2006), and of other authors, to question various statements of contemporary interventionists. Not least, recent developments in Afghanistan provide historical evidence that the ambitions of transactional democratisation are predetermined to fall short on non-democratic institutions imposing democracy using non-democratic measures on recipients of various sorts.

The Introduction of HR Knowledge Exchange System and Expert Network In Hungarian Civil Service To Support The Reorganisation of Personnel Management

The development of the Hungarian Public Administration’s personnel management has been deeply impacted by the on-going global reinterpretation of the general role and significance of HR in government departments, and by the simultaneous paradigm shift in civil service.
 Meaning, that on the one hand Human Resources Management has become a strategic partner to leadership in human-oriented organisational development. It is able to aid the interpretation of challenges and the aim of policy reforms, planning, execution and evaluation of changes, impact assessment and reporting.
 On the other hand, organisational decision-making has been gaining significance, while at the same time, the centralized legal regulation has become less relevant in HRM does questions due to the deregulation of human resources management in civil service.. This tendency puts a higher emphasis on HR Knowledge Exchange Systems and knowledge-sharing methods.
 The HR Knowledge Exchange System and Expert Network plans with the aim of providing online and offline support to HR professionals in public administration in order to improve their HR knowledge and competencies of both offline (project-based events) and online (via Online Forum) professional communities.
 Combined, the HR Knowledge Exchange System and Expert Network provides support to HR professionals primarily through granting access to an online academic research database with upto- date content, forum discussions as well as face-to-face counselling in a way that fits the requirements of the current tendencies of the reorganisation process of HR functions. It also contributes to the implementation of the ‘Healthy Organisation Model’ in practice.

THE REVISION OF HUNGARIAN PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATION (PSM) MODEL

The Public Service Motivation Theory (PSM) turned up in the USA in the 90’s, the European civil services applied the PSM concept later. Very few studies addressed the PSM in Hungarian context. One of those prepared a PSM model adapted to Hungarian public service. In this study, we develop and complete this model with job security as new variable. We use the PLS-SEM method to analyze the representative database of ISSP. According to our result, the job security can be adapted to the previous PSM model. We also identify the direct and indirect effects of job security on the other variables of the model. The results of this study can be adapted in human resource management of the Hungarian public administration. Therefore, we suggest the public policy makers to confirm the motivation and job security among the public sector employees.

A magyar közigazgatás az „Európai Közigazgatási Térségben”

The study tries to find out where the Hungarian public administration can be located in the European Administrative Space. For this, however, it is first necessary to clarify what is meant by this concept and how it has changed. To do so, however, the meaning of European public administration and administrative law and the institutional framework in which the administration of the EU member states can be evaluated should be reviewed. After all this, only the subject in the title can be explained. In doing so, one of the most important questions is to answer the question of whether there is a convergence of Member State administrations on a common European value system?